Brick and tile machine



(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet'. 1.

F. E. I'REY.

BRICK AND TILE MACHINE.

N0. 891,697-I ted 001'.. 28,1888.

Uh I l il! L.

917W @am (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

P. E. FREY.

BRICK AND TILE MACHINE Patented Oct. 28, 1888.

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WI TWESSES INVEJVTO R ./ttorney l NA PETERS. Phone-Limngnpnr, vlammen, D, c.

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

F. E. FREY.

BRICK AND TILE MAGHmE. No. 391,697. Patented Oct. 23, 1888.

WITNELSSES. INVEJVTR Attorney N. PETERS, PhmLnhugnphar. washingmn. D. C.

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

IE. E. PREY.

BRICK AND TILE MACHINE.

Patented 00's. 23, 1888.

WIM/125555, //////L FFS artnr @ittica FREDERICK E. FREY, OF BUCYRUS, OHO.

BRlCK AN TILE MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of'Letters Patent No. 391.697, dated October 23, 1888.

Serial No. 257,514. (No model.)

To @ZZ w/Lom it may concern.-

Be it known that l, FREDERICK E. FREY, a citizen of the United States of' America, residing at Bucyrus,in the county of Crawford and Stateof Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Brick and Tile Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has relation to brick and tile machines; and the objects are, first, to construct the feed-hopper with a movable side, whereby the clay will be regularly fed to the machine, and at the same time prevent the clay from clogging and sticking in the hopper; second, to provide the tile-table with an automatic cut-off mechanism,whereby the column of clay issuing from the dies will be severed with accuracy and according to predetermined adjustment.

l accomplish the purposes of my invention by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and have specifically dev scribed the mechanism involved therein hereinafter, and have also specifically pointed out the new and distintive elements of my invention in the claims made hereto.

Reference being had to the drawings,Figure l is a perspective of my improved brick and tile machine, showing the hopper with the hinged side; also, showing the tile-table withv my automatic cut-off associated therewith. Fig. 2 is a side view of the drivinggcar,showing the cam wa y on the face ofthe gear-wheel. Fig. 3 is a perspective of the supporting-shaft of the hinged hopper side, constituting the force-feed and the crank arm. Fig. 4 isa plan View of the cut-off mechanism and a section of the tile-table. Fig. 5 is a side view ofthe cut-off mechanism and a portion of the tiletable with an end view of the table-rolls. Fig. 6 is a view of the driving-roll and adjustable friction-gear. Fig. 7 is a view ofthe carryingarm of the cut-ofi mechanism. Fig. 8 is a detail View of the cut-off reel and operatingsleeve, showing the cnt-olf as tilted in dotted lines. Fig. 9 is a view of the switch-latch in the race ofthe carrying-arm. Fig. 10 is a view of the shaft-coupling. Fig. 1l is a side view of the friction device and shaft-coupling. lll-V is a longitudinal sectional View of a portion of the carrying-arm of the cut-olf, showing the straight part of the race and the arrangement of the latch therein. Fig. 12 is a transverse sectional View taken through the hopper and swinging side,showing the swinging side moved inward, its upright position being shown in dotted lines. Fig. 13 is a View of one of the tapering rollers arranged on its bearings.

The same notations in the specification designate the same elements appearing in the different gures of the drawings, and, reference being had thereto, A designates the basesupports and cylinders of a brick and tile machine with operative gear mounted thereon. This illustration is a general demonstration of the tempering mechanism of the machine shown and described in Letters Patent No. 320,865, granted to me under date of June 23, 1885. The crushing-rollers and hopper, conneeted therewith, are omitted in the illustration as not being essential to a correct understanding of my present invention.

B designates the driving-gear mounted on the shaft of the mixers or worms to mesh with the gear on the Crushers. This gear-wheel B is formed with a camway or race, l., on the face of its arms or web to take the pin of the arm on the shaft which operates the hinged or swung side of the hopper, as hereinafter more fully specified.

C designates the hopper of the cylinder, which consists of the three stationary sides 1, 2, and 3 cast as part of the cylinder and forming the opening leading to the interior. The side pieces, l 3, of this hopper C are extended, forming ears 4, which are provided with holes 5, in which is mounted a brace-rod, 6, having a threaded end and nut, by which the sides of the hopper are sustained and prevented from spreading or springing. The sides ofthe hopper are also extended downward to form lianges 7, in which are formed bearings 8, to take the shaft of the hinged side of the hopper, and to provide additional bearing for the shaft an auxiliary bearing-box, 9, may be secured to the side of the hopper, substantially as shown.

D designates the hinged side of the hopper, which consists of a substantial metal plate formed with a shaft-sleeve, 10, through whichr the supporting-shaft is projected and by which the hinged side is vibrated. rlhis shaft-sleeve forms a closcjoint with the edge of the opening in the cylinder, the edgeof the cylinder side rails of the frame.

being eoncaved for that purpose, as seen in Fig. 12 of the drawings.

E designates the supporting-shaft of the hinged side of thehopper. This shaft is projected through the bearings provided, as described, and through the sleeve on the hinged side of the hopper, the hinged side being secured on the shaft by means of set-screws 11, let through the sleeve and impinging the shaft. On the end of the shaft E is secured a rock-arm, F, which is substantially of the shape shown in Fig. 3, being curved inwardly and provided with a pin, 12, on which is an anti-friction roller, 13, which is arranged in the cam-groove on the face of the driving-gear and rests therein as the wheel is rotated.

It will be seen from the foregoing, in connection with the drawings, thatas the driving-wheel revolves, the rock-arm is raised and lowered by reason of the engagement in the race of the cam-groove on the driving-gear, the shaft being thereby also rocked, which vibrates the hinged hopper side between-the stationary sides of the hopper. The hinged hopper side thus constitutes a force-feed7 to the mixers, in that it forces or pushes the clay carried from the crushers against and into the mixers, and as the hinged side recedes or is thrown out the clay from the crusheris given additional space for deposit and without being unduly forced against the face of the hinged side. 'Ihe advantages are that as the capacity of the hopper is enlarged by the outward movement of the hinged side it will let the clay have an unobstructed passage to the mixers, and then in its return or inward movement it forces the clay on' or in the mixers, thus preventing stoppage or clogging, especially when a crusher or chute is placed above the hopper. The hinged side thus constitutes a force-feed to supply the clay with regularity and increased quantity to the machine.

rIhe second part of my invention consists, as stated, in a novel tile-table and automatic cutoff, whereby the column of clay as it is discharged from the die is carried along on the table to engagement with the severing mechanism, by which the column is cut into deflnite lengths by a square cut. This part of my invention is demonstrated specially in Figs. 4

-to 10, inclusive, and, reference being thereto had, G designates the frame of the main tiletable, composed of substantial side rails, 14, supported on legs 15, substantially as shown. At the machine end of this frame between the side rails is jon'rnaled a roller or drum, 16, and at the other or outer end of the frame is a larger' drum, 17, journaled in hangers 18, fixed to the frame. These drums are arranged in their bearing so that the termini of their' vertical radii are on a common level and somewhat flush above the upper face edges of the About these drums is arranged an endless carrying-belt, 19, or chains maybe used with transverse slats connecting them. To keep the carrying-vehicle from sagging, supportingrollers 20 are mounted between the side rails. In the region of the play of the automatic cutting mechanism under the carrier I mount rollers 21. These rollers are swelled in the middle and taper toward the ends, the purpose being to prevent the form from being pushed down in the middle when the wire is performing its functions. To give the rollers 21 a yielding function, I arrange their bearings 22 on spiral springs or elastic cushions 23. The result of this disposition is that when the cutting-wire is impeded by any cause in its progress through the forms the yield of the rollers tends to prevent it being broken, and at the same time the cutting is assured with certainty. At stated distances on the carrier, determined by the length of the form to be severed, are secu red stops 24, which project above the face of the carrier and engage with the lugs on the rear sleeve of the cut-off mechanism, as will be hereinafter more fully specified. On the rail of the frame is secured a block, 25, having an incline upper face, 26, which constitutes the means for lifting the stud of the rear sleeve over the stops on the carrier. In this movement the rear sleeve is partially turned on its support and would be carried back in a position that the lug would not contact with the next stop on the carrier. ThereforeIX on thesidepieceof the frame a guide-rod, 27, arranged with its free end to project upward, so that it will ride the lug on the sleeve and turn it back to its normal position.

H designates the carrying-arm of the cut-off. This consists of asubstantial round bar formed with a base-piece, 28, adapted to be securely fastened to the carrier-frame and then curved up, as at 29, from where it projects horizontally forward, as at 30.' In the face of the part 30 is formed a way or race, 31, Fig. 7, substantially of the form shown in the drawings, the purpose being to provide means for partially turning the forward sleeve on the supporting-arm and to return it to a normal position, as will be further specified.

On the carrying-arm is arranged a sleeve, 32, on the inner side of which is formed a lug or lugs, 33, which has itsv free end struck inward and over the carrier far enough to engage with the stops on the carrier, and is provided on its free end with an anti-friction roller, 34, to facilitate its progress on the ineline. The function of this sleeve 32 is to move the other sleeve outward on the carrying-arm while .the cut-off is performing its duty. This is accomplished by the end of the lug 33 engaging with the stop on the carrier, and as the carrier moves forward the sleeve is moved forward with it until the lug is lifted on the incline high enough to let the stop pass under it, which position being attained the sleeve is returned or moved back again by the movement of the other sleeve.

I designates a sleeve arranged on the carrying-arm and made partially rotatable thereon, and also adapted to be reciprocated horizontally, as will now be specified. In the shell IOC,

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of this sleeve I fix a stud, 35, the end of which projects a short distance within the bore, as shown in Fig. S of the drawings, which stud has au anti-friction roller mounted on its inner end. This end, with the anti-friction roller, is arranged in the race 3l of the carrying-arm, and it will be perceived that as the sleeve is moved outward by the motion of the other sleeve the stud 35 being at the inner extremity of the race 31, it will be carried down the race until the intersection of the other arm of the race, and then carried along in that, lifting or turning the sleeve in an opposite direction, and then carried through the horizontal race to the extremity ready to repeat the movement.

To prevent the stud being carried back through the horizontal race, I form a latchseat in the race and pivot therein a switchlatch, 36, which is depressed when the stud traverses the way, and is thrown with its end across the opening in the diverging way by the force of the spring, as shown in Fig. 7. On the sleeve I is mounted a Vertical standard, 37, having. a T-sleeve, 38, on its upper end. In this sleeve is secured the shaft 39 of the cut-off. The cut-off K consists of two spiders, 40, extended radially, and the hubs se cured rigidly on the shaft 39. The opposite ends of the arms are connected by wires 4l, which are made adjustable in tension by setscrews arranged in the ends of the arms. I have shown the cut-off as having three arms with cuttingwires affixed; but a less number may be used and answer, the purpose of having more than one being that when one wire is broken one of the other wires may be used, while the broken one may be replaced by a new one. To maintain the arm with its cuttingwire in proper position with the sleeve, I form a keeper, 42, on the face of the sleeve with a notch cut in it, in which an arm of the spider adjacent to the standard may be dis posed and held, as shown in Fig. 5 ofthe drawings. When a wire breaks, the arm in the keeper may be sprung out of the notch and the spiders turned until the next arm is snapped in the notch. To draw back the sleeves into position to be again moved forward, I attach a' cord, 43, on the standard on the sleeve I and` run the free end over a grooved pulley, 44, mounted on a bracket and suspend a weight, 45, on the end of the cord.

It will readily be perceived that the forward movement of the cut-off and the travel of the belt or carrier are synchronistic, the sleeves being pushed forward by the stops on the car rier engaging with the lugs on the rear sleeve, so that the cutoff is carried along at the same speed as the carrier during the operation of cutting the clay, and thus 1t makes a square cut. It will be also perceived that the cut-off is tilted by the partial turn of thesleeve which carries it, and by this movement is given a shearing cut in the clay, when the sleeve is turned until the intersection of the angular races is reached. The cut-off then standssquare across the clay and there commences to withdraw by a shearing movement.

It sometimes occurs that when the slab of clay is light or is slippery by lubrication that itwill slip on the carrier and be projected with greater speed than the carrier moves. The result is that the forms would be cut longer than the desired length or the cut-off become inoperative. 'Io obviate these exigencies, I extend the end of one of the shafts of the machine, as at 46, and form a ball thereon, which is fitted in the two-part socket 47, having leaves 48 to tit on the end of a shaft, 49. This shaft 49 is provided with a worm, 50, to mesh with the gear on the shaft of the drum. The shaft of the drum is extended, as shown, and has fitted loosely on the extension the screw spurwheel 51, which meshes with the worm 50 ou the shaft 49. As it is essential that the fric-v tional force may be adjustable, I therefore arrange the wheel 5l between two Gange-plates, 52 53,.Fig. 6. the inner one of which is fixed on the shaft andthe outer made adjustable or shi fting-on the shaft by means of a nut, 54, on the projecting ends ofthe shaft. Packing-pads 55 may be interposed between the plates andthe gear. By adjusting the nut 54 the gear will be clamped or loosened ou the bearing, as desired. This friction mechanism is designed as an auxiliary to assist the carrier when the clay forced from the machine is small light ware or very soft, so that it has not suflcient rigidity and weight to drive the carrier and the cutting mechanism associated therewith. On the carrying-arm I arrange an elastic ring, 55X, which serves as a bumper to relieve the contact between the sleeve and the shoulder of the arm when the sleeve is drawn back.

Instead of the frictiougear herein described and shown, I may substitute therefor a bevelgear connection, making the gear on the drumshaft adjustable, as described. In either instance the gear-connections are given a speed somewhat faster than the travel of the carrier in order to compensate for the slip of the gear on the shaft ofthe drum. If the gear on the drum-shaft is fixed rigidly between the plates, so as notto slip on its bearing, the speed that would be given to the carrier would be greater than necessary, and would tend to break the slab in pieces by stretching it apart; but by means of the nuts and clamping-plates the gear may be secured on its bearings with just sufficient stability to do the work desired.

L designates an auxiliary table for receiving the forms after being cut oll' and discharged from the main table. This table is supported on legs, as shown, and is provided with an endless apron, 56, supported on rollers, as usual. The shaft of one of the rollers is extended, aud has a belt-pulley, 57, mounted thereon, about which is arranged a belt, 58, which is carried over a belt-pulley, 59, on the shaft of the drum 17. 'Ihe belt-pulleys 57 and 59 and the belt 58 are shown in dotted lines in Fig. I of the drawings. It will be seen that this arrangement gives the apron of the aux- IDO IIC

iliary table a faster movement than the apron of the main table, in order to carry the forms out of the way of the forms on the latter.

The operation of the several parts of the cut-off mechanism has been stated in connection with their description. Their combined operation and results may be here stated as follows: rIhe clay slabs or forms are discharged from the dies onto the carrying-belt, which is caused to move by the frictional contact and weight of the slab as itis pushed forward from the machine. When the carrying belt is is moved until one of the measuring-stops engages with the lug on the first sleeve on the carrying-arm, the sleeve is moved along with the stop and pushes the other sleeve along on the carrying-arm, which sleeve at the same time is partially turned by the lug in the race of the carrying-arm, which rotary motion carries down the cut-off with its cutting-wire across and through the clay. The lug of the first sleeve has now engaged the incline and is lifted over the measuring-stop, and the eut-off with wire has also been tilted and withdrawn from the forms, leaving the mechanism free to be drawn back, in which movement the lug of the first sleeve engages the guide-bar and is thereby turned down to engage with the neXt measuring-stop, ready to repeat the forward movement and cutting. If, as stated,the clay is light or slips on the carrier, then the auX- iliary friction-gear insures its being carried forward.

Instead of forming the race in the carryingarm, it may be made in the interior face of the sleeve and the lug put in the carrying-arm.

I do not limit myself to the means shown and described for returning the sleeves on the carrying-arm, as other mechanism may be used for that purpose. I have made the carryingarm hollow and slotted and disposed a coilspring therein to throw the sleeves back; but this I deem equivalent to the weight mechanism.

The shaft-connections between the frictiongear and the machine may be made with other shafts on the machine should the constructions warrant such modification.

What I claim is-q 1. The combination, with the hopper of a tile or brick machine, of the hinged side D, mounted on a shaft provided with an arm, and a cam on the driving-shaft to rock the arm and vibrate the hinged side back and forth in the hopper,substantially as described.

2. In a clay-tempering machine, the combination of a driving-gear formed with a cam groove or way in its face, a shaft mounted on bearings on the cylinder of the machine and formed with a rock-arm to engage the camgroove in the driving-gear, and a swinging hopper side mounted on the shaft on the cylinder, substantially as described, and for the purpose stated. v

8. The combination, with the hopper of a clay-tempering machine having an opening in `one side of the hopper, of a side hinged to the side of the machine to close the side of the hopper, and a bar, 6, secured in the sides of the hopper and arranged across the open side for holding the hinged side in substantially an upright position, and a lever connectedto the driving mechanism for swinging it back and forth on its hinges or bearings, substantially as specitied.

4. In a clay-tempering machine, the combination of a plate arranged to close one side of the hopper and formed with a sleeve at its lower edge, a shaft mounted on bearings on the machine and proj ected through and rigidly secured in said sleeve of the plate, a rock-arm fixed to the end of said shaft, and a drivingwheel formed with a cam-groove to take the end ofthe rock-arm, whereby the plate is vibrated, substantially as described, and for the purpose stated.

5. In a clay-tempering machine, the combination of the cylinder formed with a hopper having three stationary sides, a hinged hopper side mounted on a rock-shaft in bearings on the machine, and a lever on therock-shaft to vibrate the hinged side back and forth on its bearings, substantially as described, and for the purpose stated.

6. The combination, with a clay-tempering machine and the carrier of the tile-table, of a driving-shaft provided with a gear-wheel, and an adjustable friction-gear mounted on the shaft of the drum of the carrier to mesh with the gear on the said driving-shaft-,substantially as described, and for the purpose stated.

7. The combination, with the table of a tilemachine, of a carrier-belt mounted on drums in the table, a friction-gear adj ustably mounted on the shaft of one of the said drums, and means, substantially as specified, for rotating the friction-gear, substantially as described.

8. The combination, with the carrier of a tile-table, of a clamping-plate mounted rigidly on the shaftof the drum of the carrier,a clamping-plate adjust-ably arranged on said shaft, a gear-wheel loosely mounted on the shaft and arranged between said plates, means, substantially as specified, for clamping the said gear between said plates, and means, substantially as specified, for rotating said gear, as and for the purpose stated.

9. In a clay-tempering machine, the combination of the shaft 46, the shaft 49, mounted on bearings on the tile-table and having a balland-socket connection with the shaft 46, and having a gear, 50, the carrier mounted on drums 16 and 17, and a friction-gear, 51, adjustably mounted on the shaft of the drum, whereby the carrier is made to travel with a limited auxiliary power, substantially as described.

10. The combination, with the carrier-belt and its rotatable supports, of a friction-gear loosely mounted on the shaft of one of the rotatable supports of the carrier, and a frictional clamp for holding said gear on its shaft with a determined frictional force, substantially as described, and for the purpose stated.

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11. The combination, with the carrier-belt formed with measuringstops,of the carryingarm H, mounted on the frame of the carrierbelt and formed with a race or way, 3l, the sleeve 32, arranged on the carrying-arm and formed with lugs to engage with the measuringvstops on the carrier, the sleeve Larranged on the carryingsarm and having a lug to engage in the race ofthe said arm,and the cut-off mounted on the sleeve I, substantially as de scribed, and for the purpose stated.

12. The combination, with thecarrier-belt provided with measuring-stops, of the carrying-arm H, mounted alongside of the carrier and formed with a race or way, 3l, the sleeve 32,arranged on the carrying-arm and formed with lugs to engage with the measuring-stops on the carrier-belt, the sleeve I, arranged on the carrying-arm and having a lug to engage in the race of thesaid arm,the cutoffmounted on the sleeve I, and means for drawing said sleeves backward on the carryingarm, all substantially as described,and for the purpose stated.

13. rIhe combination, with the carrier-belt provided with stops, of the carrying-arm H, mounted alongside of the carrier and formed .with a race, 3l, the sleeve 32,arranged on the carrying arm and formed with lugs to engage the stops on the carrier, the sleeve I, arranged on the carrying-arm and provided with a lug to engage the race of the carrying-arm, the cutoii mounted on the sleeve I, the block 25, for turning the sleeve 32, means, substantially as described, for drawing the sleeves back on the carrying-arm, and the guiderod 27, for turning the sleeve 32, substantially as described.

14. The combination,with the carryingbelt and the carrying-arm formed with a race, ofa

sleeve arranged on the carrying-arm and adapted to be moved in one direction by the engagement with the carrying-belt, a second sleeve arranged on the carrying-arm and adapted to be moved forward on the sleeve by the movement of the iirst sleeve and provided with a lug to engage the race in the carrying- -arm and turn the sleeve, and a cut-off on the latter sleeve to set with its cutting means across the table and be raised and lowered in a vertical plane by the partial rotations of the sleeve, substantially as described.

15. The combination, with the cut-off, the carrier, and its frame, of a series of rolls mounted on yielding bearings arranged under the region ofthe cut-off' and formed to taper from the middle in both directions, substantially as described.

16. Thelcnt-off herein described, consisting of a vertical standard having arocking motion, a shaft having one end secured in the free end ofthe standard and projected over the table, spiders 4.0 on the shaft, cutting-wires 4l, connecting the ends of opposite arms of the spiders,and a keeper on the standard to hold the cutting means in position, substantially as described.

17. The combination, with the carrierbelt and cut-off of a tile-machine, of measuring lugs 24, secured on the carrier-belt and arranged to engage thev cutoff and carry it synchronous with the moving slab of clay, substantially as described. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two attesting witnesses.

FREDERICK E. FREY. Attest:

A. G. HEYLMUN, WM. H. BATES. 

